ML19309E133
| ML19309E133 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 02/14/1980 |
| From: | Gilmore D BEUKERS LABORATORIES, INC. |
| To: | Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19309E125 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8004180439 | |
| Download: ML19309E133 (2) | |
Text
~
f))
~
s.
BEUKERS L A B O R AT O R I E S, INC.
Electronics to, See, Surf ace and Space February 14, 1980 Mr. John F.
Ahearne, Commissioner U.
S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (H-ll49)
Washington, D.
C.
20006
Dear Mr. Ahearne:
Subject:
Public Safety Following Discharge of Radioactivity into the Atmosphere.
Genuine concern for the safety of the general public has been expressed by many, in and out of government, following the Three Mile Island accident last year.
It is possible that the most severe problem that we face in this respect, other than the unlikely circumstance of a catastrophic failure, is the release of radioactive particles into the atmosphere. Once this has happened, it becomes essential to have immediately available information relating to convection, dispersion and direction of the potentially harmful radioactive cloud and associated fallout.
Our analysis of the period immediately following the "TMI" accident indicates that this crucial information was not available.
It was not until an Air Force team with atmospheric sounding equipment was flown in two days later did the necessary data become available.
We believe we have an important contribution to make and, therefore, consider it important to bring our capability and experience to your attention. Our company has specialized in atmospheric sounding for over fifteen years, having developed a full line of equipment for this purpose.
The techniques we use are unique and have been employed by us for establishing atmospheric meteorological data for power plant siting and atmospheric modelling.
Our equipment is in use throughout the world.
Instantaneous information relating to atmospheric conditions, particularly wind speed and direction, will enable danger zones to be better defined, thereby minimizing public injury, evacuation congestion and economic disruption.
(continued)
F l o w e r f i e l d B i d g. 7, S t. J a m e s. N. Y.11780 s (516) 862-7500
CEUKORO t A C O A AT O R I G O, I N C. It is of interest to note that our systems track the wind field containing radioactivity and pollutants by employing the Long Range Navigational Aid Loran-C.
This system is in its final stages of implementation by the U.S. Coast. Guard.
Approximately 95% of the population of the U.S.
is covered by this highly accurate navigation facility which has been funded by the U.S. Government and is available to any user free of charge.
It is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard on a twenty-four hour basis with an availability of 99.99%.
The transmitting stations for the Navaid are dispersed throughout the U.S. and are highly unlikely to be affected by a nuclear power plant accident.
One of the unique features of the Loran-C tracking system is 1
its mobility.
No set up time is required, and the equipment can be moved while performing an atmospheric sounding.
It is our belief that each nuclear power plant should be equipped with a small trailer containing equipment and expendables for a minimum of 32 soundings.
We have operated a mobile station of this kind for over five years making in excess of 3,000 soundings.
The reliability has been exceptional and the data yield in excess of 95%.
Training for operator personnel is minimal.
I would like to discuss this interesting possibility with you with the objective of defining more precisely a cost-effective equipment installation to satisfy this important requirement.
I am enclosing some literature and background on our system concept and equipment for your interest.
Sincerely yours, David W, Gilmore Director - Meteorological Services DWG/mk i
t b
6